Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has compiled a record of 50-2-1-1 (NC), yet he still has so much to prove that he belongs among the best in boxing. He is scheduled to fight Canelo Alvarez on May 6th where he hopes to make a serious run to remain relevant in the sport.

His fight with Canelo Alvarez is stipulated at a catchweight of 164.5 lbs. He has not fought at that weight for some time, and he needs to surround himself with the right people to make this endeavor a success. He feels that the best man to guide him towards this mega fight is coach Freddie Roach.

The renowned coach worked on his corner against Irishman Andy Lee. They had a successful run for a short time together, until Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. didn’t train well enough for Sergio Martinez.

When the idea was first brought up to Roach, he said that would train Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. but on one condition. He needs to be present each day to train. The moment he’s absent, the deal would be off.

Freddie Roach eventually turns down Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Now that the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Canelo Alvarez match has already been finalized, Freddie Roach reconsiders his decision to train Chavez Jr. based on an important variable. Now that the Manny Pacquiao fight against Jeff Horn seems imminent, he has decided to focus on his favorite ward in the coming months.

“I like the dad, I want to help the dad, I want to help the kid win the fight also. The thing is my schedule is really busy right now and it’s going to run right through the (Manny Pacquiao) camp – if that fight does happen with Pacquiao,” Freddie Roach told BoxingScene.

And it’s not just about the Manny Pacquiao itinerary, given the magnitude of the fight. He needs more time to deal with a fighter of Canelo Alvarez’s caliber. “They made an offer [to trainer Chavez Jr. for the fight]. They want me to come for the last two weeks and I said, ‘Well, I don’t think two weeks is enough.'”

Nevertheless, Freddie Roach likes Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and says his chances of beating Canelo Alvarez are good. Like coach Robert Garcia believes, Chavez Jr. could use his size advantage against Canelo. He’s bigger and stronger, and as long as he keeps his discipline in training, he could really win it.

Marco Antonio Barrera on Canelo Alvarez fight

Marco Antonio Barrera believes Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Canelo Alvarez will be good for boxing. According to a report by WBN, he sees it as an intriguing matchup considering that Chavez may be bigger, but Canelo has been the more active fighter.

He believes Chavez Jr.’s long inactivity and hand injury may play a factor during the match. Added to that is his need to cut down so much weight, which could drain him against Canelo who’s bulking up.